Willie Reed, a rehabilitation technician, overcame the amputation of her left arm as a child (due to an allergic reaction to a small pox vaccination).
According to a Goodwill press release, she started at Goodwill in 1964 as a textiles sorter and worked the next 20 years in stores and as a receptionist. “Inspired by
watching individuals with disabilities overcome personal and economic obstacles, she attended college and received a bachelor's degree in psychology,” the release
states.
Reed has also been a church volunteer, probation officer, writer; state delegate for the Democratic Party and member of the Governor's White House Committee for
the Disabled.
Her current work at Goodwill involves mentoring program participants learning new job skills to achieve vocational independence.
“I am motivated when I see people in wheelchairs, amputees, or people with speech problems, learn to function at their fullest potential,” Reed said.